Larry Bird is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history. A cornerstone of the Boston Celtics, Bird played a crucial role in securing three NBA championships for the team in the 1980s.
Known not only for his skill on the court but also for his elite trash-talking abilities, Bird’s competitive spirit is legendary. Byron Scott, who faced Bird multiple times, highlighted this aspect during a recent episode of “The Byron Scott Podcast” with Robert Horry. Scott dubbed Bird the “king of trash talk,” recounting how Bird would predict his moves to defenders who were powerless to stop him.
Scott shared a vivid memory from the NBA Finals: “He would tell you exactly where he was going, what he was gonna do. And he did that to us in the Finals. He said, ‘I’m gonna go right over there to the corner, catch the ball, shoot it, and there’s nothing you can do about it.’ And he did exactly that.”
LARRY BIRD IS A LEGEND
Bird’s trash-talking prowess is legendary, with one famous story involving him telling the media he would play left-handed for three quarters against the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986. Bird scored 27 points left-handed before finishing the game with 47 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, including the game-winner in overtime.
As an individual player, Bird’s accolades are numerous. He was a three-time league MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 12-time All-Star, and nine-time All-NBA First Team selection.
In 1992, he added an Olympic gold medal to his resume as part of the Dream Team. Bird retired in 1992 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998, with a second induction in 2010 as a member of the Dream Team.
After his illustrious playing career, Bird transitioned to coaching, taking the helm of the Indiana Pacers in 1997. During his three seasons as head coach, he led the team to two Eastern Conference finals and their first NBA Finals appearance in 2000. Bird later served as an executive for the Pacers from 2003 to 2017, further cementing his legacy in the NBA.
